The Rapp for June 25

Fourth (Estate) Friday: See you in July

This month’s usual Fourth (Estate) Friday public story conference with the staff of the Rappahannock News is, alas, cancelled due to circumstances unforeseen and otherwise. We’ll be back at the table on July 24. (In the meantime, your calls and emails, with story ideas and suggestions, are always welcome at 540-675-3338 or editor@rappnews.com.)

The big event in Amissville

Carl Zitzmann

After-dark amusements at a recent Amissville carnival, on the grounds of the Amissville Volunteer Fire and Rescue again through this Saturday.

It’s carnival weekend! The Amissville Volunteer Fire and Rescue company’s annual tradition begins at 7 p.m. every night for the rest of this week through Saturday night, and includes games, rides, food, pageantry and the big parade along U.S. 211 — that’s at 7 p.m. today, Thursday, June 25. For more information, call Sandi at 540-937-4218 or visit amissvillevfr.org.

Getting into the Gala

There are still a few remaining seats for the opening night gala at Castleton Festival. Join in on a memorable evening, which starts with a gourmet dinner prepared by Rappahannock’s own Dayn Smith of Glen Gordon Manor and includes special seating for the opening performance of “Romeo et Juliette” — and a champagne reception after the performance in honor of festival principal conductor Rafael Payare. The gala starts at 5 p.m. this Friday (July 3) in the Castleton Theatre House. Tickets are $299 per person; reserve online at castletonfestival.org or call 866-974-0767.

SNPA’s summer seminars

Shenandoah National Park Association is sponsoring the 2015 Resource Seminars in Shenandoah National Park, seminars meant to provide participants with opportunities to get to know their national park better, through in-depth, hands-on experiences.

This year’s seminars include “Celebrate Shenandoah Through Photography” on Saturday, July 25, a workshop to introduce budding nature photographers to the basic methods and techniques that will help them capture their own personal nature experiences through photography of public lands in the national park. Professional photographers Ann and Rob Simpson will share their expertise through classroom instruction and field sessions on a variety of techniques including scenic, macro and telephotography. This seminar is intended for ages 12 and up and space is limited to 25 participants.

There’s a “Celebrate Shenandoah Through Art” seminar on Aug. 15, and a “Birds of a Feather Fly South Together” seminar on Sept. 19 (where you can learn about the fall migration of many bird species that use the Blue Ridge Mountains as a major flyway south for the winter).

Each seminar costs $50 per person (not including the $20 per car entrance fee to the park); advance registration is required. For more, visit SNPA’s website at snpbooks.org, email snpagm@centurylink.net or call 540-999-3582. (SNPA members receive a 20 percent discount on seminars.)

Meet, greet, vote, eat

| Rappahannock News

The scene at the Businesses of Rappahannock’s last Business Link networking event, held last month at Virginia Chutney Co. in Flint Hill.

The Businesses of Rappahannock holds its annual potluck membership picnic this Sunday (June 28) at the Rappahannock Visitors Center, starting with business — including electing new officers for the fiscal year that starts July 1 — at 5:30 p.m., followed by pleasure, namely the picnic.

The picnic is potluck; BizRapp supplies tables and picnicware but they’re looking for some main courses, sides/salads, desserts, drinks and snacks. Members are welcome to vote; prospective members are invited. If you have any questions — or you’re interested in joining the Businesses of Rappahannock — contact president Jason Brady at bizrapp1@gmail.com.

Michael Shea benefit concert Saturday

Michael Shea, the Washington D.C. psychotherapist and cabaret performer, brings his show “My Analyst Told Me” back to the stage in Rappahannock this Saturday (June 27) for an evening of music as a benefit to support the RAAC Community Theatre. The show’s title comes from the fabulous yet challenging Jon Hendricks/Annie Ross tune of the same name, made famous by Joni Mitchell. Michael performed an evening of cabaret music to benefit RAAC several years ago, singing for a packed and very enthusiastic audience. Tickets ($20) for the 8 p.m. show are available at raac.org/raacwp/community-theatre.

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